Fire Service Calls For More Wildfire Funding After 75 Incidents In Two Months

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is calling for more national funding to tackle wildfires after attending 75 incidents during July and August.

The service says prolonged hot and dry weather this summer placed increasing demands on firefighters, including during major incidents on the Isle of Wight and in the New Forest.

The comments follow a report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee calling for a more coordinated national approach to wildfire risk.

Fire authority chair Cllr Prad Bains said most wildfires were caused by human activity, highlighting the risks from disposable barbecues, campfires and discarded smoking materials.

He said the service had invested in specialist equipment, including lightweight protective clothing and an off-road vehicle to reach fires in remote locations.

However, he warned there was no dedicated national funding for wildfire preparedness and response, and called for greater investment, stronger coordination and a long-term strategy.